The predawn calm of 5 AM clung to Uncle Brad’s sprawling estate. Alexander, a man whose business acumen had already secured him a multi-billion-dollar empire, stirred in his king-size bed. Yet, for all his success, he remained tethered to this house, a decree from Uncle Brad that no family member could live independently until they were married. Alexander stretched his arms high above his head, a ritualistic wake-up call, before swinging his legs off the bed. His morning began, as always, with a run, a silent communion with the world before the sun dared to peek over the horizon.

After his brisk run, damp with exertion, Alexander stepped into his lavish bathroom. He caught his reflection in the mirror, a familiar groan escaping him. “How can this beard grow overnight? How annoying,” he muttered, running a hand over the dark stubble. He detested it, a constant reminder of his father, Rex. With a sigh, he reached for his razor, efficiently taking off the "rainforest beard" that seemed to sprout with aggressive speed.

Soon, thoughts turned from his physical appearance to the day ahead. He was to head to Brad’s office for the ongoing "observations" of him and Rachel, a peculiar project meant to unravel the mysteries of their magic. A sigh escaped him. “Another day of surviving seeing that gloomy face of hers.” He spoke aloud, the words hanging in the air. Yet, a flicker of a different thought sparked. She looked pretty when she had her guards down, though. Alexander’s eyes widened, dismissing the idea almost instantly. “What on earth is wrong with me? She looks like a teenager with issues!” He convinced himself, brushing off the faint blush that crept onto his cheeks as he vigorously brushed his teeth.

Breakfast was next, a task Alexander firmly believed was his domain. “Don’t you dare come help me in the kitchen, Uncle Brad!” Alexander warned, his voice carrying through the spacious house. “Every time you desire to get in the kitchen, you have to burn something!”

Brad, emerging from the hallway, feigned hurt. “Oh, the indignity!” Claire, Alexander’s aunt, chuckled, kissing Brad’s cheek. “Don’t worry, love. You are always welcome to join me when it’s my turn to cook.” She winked at Alexander. “Alexander just likes things to work properly when it comes to indoor activities. Outdoor ones, like business and magic, he leaves to chance.”

Soon, Max, Alexander’s younger brother, ambled into the kitchen, stifling a yawn. “We have maids. Why bother doing good food by yourself?”

Alexander, expertly flipping pancakes, scoffed. “I don’t trust them with my meals. They should be done by now with your lunchbox, though.”

“Your loss then,” Felix, the oldest of the three brothers, chimed in, grabbing a mug of coffee that a maid had already prepared.

After a hearty breakfast, Alexander ascended the stairs to prepare his things. His mornings were dedicated to catching up on his classes, while his late mornings and afternoons were for his business work – closing multi-billion-dollar deals. Evenings were for rest, a brief respite before the cycle began anew. This had been his routine for the past few weeks, but today held a slight deviation. Today, Jessica was joining them.

In Uncle Brad’s study, Jessica meticulously examined the Beast Master ring. “There is nothing wrong with it,” she declared, her brow furrowed. “What do you mean the former holder of it died because of it?”

“I don’t know,” Brad explained, leaning forward. “When Felix was eight, the ring started acting weird.”

“Hmm, then it must have been one of the crystals hovering closer to it in that period of time,” Jessica mused. “It must be the Energy Crystal, as this one always somehow escapes my care to find its own holder and control them to seek any magic energy they can find. And once the energy gets overwhelming, it can kill its own holder.”

“Ouch, that’s harsh,” Rachel commented, wide-eyed. “What was the purpose of that crystal anyway?”

“It used to keep balance of energy six hundred years ago, but now this is its curse,” Jessica replied gravely. “But I suggest we start having proper training so it will not overwhelm you when any crystal is around.”

“What was the purpose of making that ring in the first place?” Alexander interjected, puzzled.

“Well, the former Healing Crystal holder was from a species that became bloodthirsty savage creatures in a full straight full moon in my world. It drove them crazy, so he made it to control himself as a royal advisor. It gets overwhelmed when it feels overwhelming power nearby.”

“But Rachel is here and I don’t feel anything,” Alexander protested, raising an eyebrow.

“The Creation Energy is emotional and unpredictable, and Rachel’s natural energy is a mix that is too complex to be readable to the ring,” Jessica explained patiently.

“If only we knew this ages ago then Rex, Mila, and the baby would have…” Brad’s voice trailed off, thick with sorrow. Alexander looked away, not wanting his own grief to overwhelm him. Suddenly, he felt a warm hand on his shoulder. It was Rachel, trying to comfort him.

“Well… we can’t change the past, but at least now we can save generations that might use this exact same thing,” Rachel said, trying to lighten the mood. “Also, I can’t wait to start my own training! I saw a lot of cool spells I want to try.” She even managed a small, hopeful joke.

“Well, I would like to wait until the other holder of the Gravity Crystal shows up, little one,” Jessica offered. “As the queen is quite busy in the other world managing things and creatures.”

Later that day, Alexander was on the basketball court, practicing with his team for an upcoming match next month against a rival team. Jacob, his co-captain, had been working tirelessly to claim the captain’s title, a goal he’d pursued as long as Alexander could remember, but always just out of reach.

After practice, as Alexander’s legion of fan girls swarmed him, trying to impress him with offerings of water and towels, Evelyn and Rachel were quietly serving the other players. This kind of social activity was common around the academy. Alexander spotted Rachel and couldn’t resist a jab. “Are you stalking me now? It’s enough I see you every morning.”

Rachel glared, then managed a strained laugh. “Believe me, I don’t like seeing you all the time either. I’m here helping a friend of mine, Zoe, who does this kind of thing for your team.” Rachel turned and left, heading towards Zoe, who was awkwardly waving from a corner near the water coolers as whispers started to spread amongst the fan girls.

Rachel passed Alexander and made her way to Jacob. “Hey, Jacob, was it?” Jacob looked up, surprised. “You did great. Even if no one noticed because of that ‘powerful businessman’ shadow covering your talent, you were just as amazing as he was.” She handed him a bottle of water and a towel. “Rest up! It’s part of hard work too! And you can do it!” Rachel then left to help Zoe with other tasks, not seeing how Jacob’s cheeks flushed at her unexpected praise.

A moment later, after the team had discussed playing strategies for the upcoming game, Jacob saw Rachel again, this time serving some meals, as they might get back to practice. Alexander, ever the provocateur, teased Rachel again. “I don’t want it. Who knows what you put in them?” Because of his comment, Rachel initially pulled the food box back.

“For your information, Zoe also manages the food for the team, so don’t worry, I did not even get close to the stove to worry if I miscooked anything,” Rachel retorted, glaring, before pressing the food box into his hands firmly.

The team watched another round of banter unfold between Rachel and Alexander. No one else at the academy dared to speak to Alexander with such casualness save for a very select few. “Well, at least someone is finally treating him like a normal person,” a soft voice murmured. Everyone looked up, then a collective smile spread across their faces.

“Heather?!” the team exclaimed. Alexander looked up, and a smile Rachel had never seen before bloomed on his face. His team members rushed forward, embracing the girl.

“It’s nice to see you guys too,” Heather said warmly. Her eyes met Alexander’s, and she smiled, walking closer to him. “It’s been a while, Alex.”

Evelyn ran to Heather, pulling her into a tight hug. “What are you doing here? I thought you had some filming to do!”

“Well, the director said I should take a few years off and focus on my studies, as strange things started to happen in the filming area,” Heather told Evelyn, her smile softening. “So you’ll be seeing me more often.”

Rachel watched from the side, wondering who Heather was. “Jealous?” Zoe teased, nudging her.

“Of what exactly?” Rachel genuinely asked, confused.

“Oh, you mean how Heather had the spotlight, and how Alexander smiled when he saw her,” Zoe clarified.

“Nah,” Rachel scoffed at the thought. “If anything, I want to get to know her and be friends with her. She looks pretty and nice.”

“Nicer than you can be,” Alexander said, just loud enough to tease Rachel.

“Sheesh, thanks for putting the standards on display. Now imagine how nice she can be,” Rachel retorted dryly.

However, from a distance, Heather watched Alexander and Rachel, a distinct unpleasantness coiling in her gut at Rachel’s very existence near Alexander.